View
603
Download
3
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
BATTLE ANALYSIS: The Battle of Little Round Top
P Version
INTRODUCTION• The Battle of Little Round Top• Principles of War
-Mass-Manoeuvre-Surprise-Security-Objective-Offensive
• A critical supporting action in the Battle of Gettysburg• 02 – 03 July 1863• Gettysburg, VA
INTRODUCTION
Army of the Potomac under MG Meade
V Army Corps under MG Sykes
3rd Bde under COL Vincent
Union Forces
INTRODUCTION
Army of Northern Virgnia under Gen Lee
I Army Corps under LTG Longstreet
Hoods’ Div under MG Hood
Confederate Forces
STRATEGIC SETTING
• Cause of the conflict American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg 01-03 July 1863 Direct assault
STRATEGIC SETTING• Military Systems Battle Command
Manoeuvre Fire Support Intelligence Logistics
• Previous Performance 1st Day of Battle of Gettysburg Devils’ Den
• Logistical Situation No apparent MSR for Union
• Morale, Health and Welfare Union Forces highly motivated Both forces physically tired due to difficulty of unit manoeuvres
TACTICAL SITUATION
• Mission• Equipment• Terrain• Troops available• Time
ACTIONInitial Troop Movements
ACTIONFinal Assault
ACTION
• Union Forces successfully defend positions• Union casualties: 565 casualties (134 killed,
402 wounded, 29 missing)• Confederate casualties: 1,185 (279 killed, 868
wounded, 219 missing)
SIGNIFICANCE
• Short term effect- Failure of Confederate forces to defeat Union forces enabled Union forces to alter outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg in their favor
• Long term effect- Union forces eventually won the war
ANALYSIS
• Tenets of Army OperationsAgility - maneuver of both forcesInitiative – COL Chamberlain’s quick thinkingDepth- utilization of reserves when needed and
use of maneuver space despite physical limitationSynchronization- coordinated movement of all
forces in terms of both offense and defenseVersatility
ANALYSIS• Principles of War Mass – Rebel assaults; Union lines of fire Maneuver – Rebel movement and flexibility of 20th Maine Surprise- appearance of Rebel forces at unexpected areas Simplicity Security-guarding of flanks of 20th Maine at tactical and of 3rd
Brigade at operational Objective- common for both forces but defense of LRT for Union
and dislodgement of enemy at LRT by Rebels Offensive- repetitive Rebel attacks and sudden bayonet attack of
20th Maine Unity of Command-at Brigade level for Union for western/southern
slope defense of LRT and coordinated Rebel attacks Economy of Force
ANALYSIS
• The victors observed the principles of mass, maneuver, surprise, security, and unity of command.
• The vanquished failed to employ maneuver, fire support, intelligence, mobility and survivability.
CONCLUSION
The leadership and tactical acumen of COL Joshua Chamberlain coupled with the determination of his men of the 20th Maine
practically saved the day for the Union Forces at their positions on the tactical aspect, for the Battle of Gettysburg on the operational aspect and the American Civil War later on in the strategic aspect.
Recommended